Five of the ten fastest-growing U.S. occupations are in health care. Here’s where the jobs are.
Editorial Team
The U.S. health care industry is projected to add 2 million jobs over the next decade—more than any other sector—while the economy as a whole grows just 3.1%. Bureau of Labor Statistics data reveals a stark divide: advanced practice roles like nurse practitioners (40% growth) and physician assistants (28%) are expanding at rates 9 to 13 times the national average, while traditional administrative positions face automation-driven decline.
This analysis ranks 50 health care occupations by BLS projected growth rate through 2034, using the September 2024 employment projections release. Growth rate alone does not tell the full story—a career growing at 40% and adding 128,400 positions looks different from one growing at the same rate but adding only a few thousand. Both growth rate and absolute job creation matter.
The pattern is unambiguous: careers that require human judgment, direct patient interaction, and specialized clinical skills are surging. One-third of active physicians will be over 65 by 2032, while the 65+ population grows from 59.7 million to 72.5 million. The people who need the most care are multiplying; the doctors who provide it are retiring. That collision is reshaping the entire health care workforce.
Each dot is a health care career. Upper-right = high growth + high availability (best opportunities). Hover or tap for details.
The careers with the highest projected growth rates—and why they’re booming.
Sortable table with growth rates, salaries, and education requirements for every career tracked.
| Rank ↑ | Career ↕ | Growth % ↕ | Salary ↕ | Number of Jobs ↕ | Education ↕ | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
#1 | Nurse Practitioner | 40.0% Very Fast | $129k/yr | 320,400 | Master's Degree | View Details |
#2 | Physician Assistant | 28.0% Very Fast | $130k/yr | 148,000 | Master's Degree | View Details |
#3 | Home Health Aide | 17.4% Very Fast | $34k/yr | 3.7 million | High School Diploma | View Details |
#4 | Athletic Trainer | 17.3% Very Fast | $60k/yr | 36,900 | Master's Degree | View Details |
#5 | Genetic Counselor | 16.0% Very Fast | $99k/yr | 5,300 | Master's Degree | View Details |
#6 | Medical Assistant | 14.8% Fast | $42k/yr | 774,100 | Postsecondary Certificate | View Details |
#7 | Physical Therapist | 14.2% Fast | $101k/yr | 238,300 | Doctoral Degree | View Details |
#8 | Community Health Worker | 11.2% Fast | $49k/yr | 68,100 | Postsecondary Certificate | View Details |
#9 | Certified Nurse-Midwife (CNM) | 11.0% Fast | $129k/yr | 8,600 | Master's Degree | View Details |
#10 | Occupational Therapist | 10.5% Fast | $97k/yr | 137,700 | Master's Degree | View Details |
#11 | Diagnostic Medical Sonographer | 10.2% Fast | $85k/yr | 82,800 | Associate Degree | View Details |
#12 | Ultrasound Technician | 10.2% Fast | $85k/yr | 82,800 | Associate Degree | View Details |
#13 | Audiologist | 10.0% Fast | $92k/yr | 14,500 | Doctoral Degree | View Details |
#14 | Occupational Therapy Assistant | 9.9% Fast | $67k/yr | 47,100 | Associate Degree | View Details |
#15 | Orthotist and Prosthetist | 9.8% Fast | $78k/yr | 10,600 | Master's Degree | View Details |
#16 | Speech-Language Pathologist | 9.6% Fast | $89k/yr | 172,300 | Master's Degree | View Details |
#17 | Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) | 9.0% Fast | $223k/yr | 53,800 | Doctoral Degree | View Details |
#18 | Respiratory Therapist | 8.4% Fast | $78k/yr | 133,300 | Associate Degree | View Details |
#19 | Sleep Technologist | 8.1% Fast | $60k/yr | 13,900 | Associate Degree | View Details |
#20 | Patient Care Coordinator | 8.1% Fast | $63k/yr | 463,700 | Bachelor's Degree | View Details |
Job growth projections are based on Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Employment Projections for the 2024-2034 decade, published September 2024. Growth rate = percentage change in jobs. "Very Fast" (15%+), "Fast" (7–14%), "Average" (3–6%), "Below Average" (0–2%), "Declining" (negative). The national average growth rate across all occupations is 3.1%. Projections assume continuation of current economic trends and health care policy.